Exploring Fractions created by Michele Hinkle

3 9 A fraction is a way of representing part of a whole or part of a group. The number that tells how many equal parts are described is the numerator. What fraction of the candy is orange? 3 9 The number that tells the number of equal parts in the whole is called the denominator.

The pizza has been cut into three equal parts. We call these thirds. A third is written as 1 3 .

The whole pizza cut into three equal parts gives us thirds. Think about just one slice. We can write this using a fraction 1 3 .

Think about two slices. Two slices is two thirds. We can write two thirds as 2 3 . The top number of the fraction tells us how many slices we have. We call it the numerator. The bottom number tells us how many parts in the whole pizza. We call it the denominator.

If all the pieces of a whole are present, we call that 1 whole. Since 6 slices of the cake are present, we can say that 6 = 1 whole

Here are all the fractions you can make from a cake cut into six slices.

Representing Fractions 3 6

Equivalent Fractions

Equivalent Fractions name the same amount. 1 2 4 3 8 5 6 7 1 2 4 4 and 8 are equivalent fractions.

To find equivalent fractions, you can multiply the numerator and denominator of a fraction by the same nonzero number. 2 5 = 2 5 = 2 x 2 5 x 2 = 4 10 2 5 = 2 x 3 5 x 3 = 6 15

Compare 1 2 and 3 7 = , 1. Multiply 1 2 x 3 6 2. Compare 3 6 and 7 Since 3 6 is not the same as 7 these fractions are not equivalent ,

Simplifying Fractions A fraction is in simplest form when its numerator and denominator have no common factors other than 1.

÷ = ÷ 1 6 18 3 2 2 2 6 = 1 3 3 is a common factor of 6 and 18. Divide the numerator and the denominator by a common factor. 6 18 ÷ = 3 2 3 is a common factor of 6 and 18. 1 and 3 have no other common factor greater than 1. 2 Keep dividing by common factors until the only common factor is 1. 2 6 = ÷ 1 3 2 is a common factor of 2 and 6.